ANMF (Vic Branch) was pleased to finally welcome the Victorian Public Mental Health Services Enterprise Agreement 2020–2024 (EBA), after it was formally approved by the Fair Work Commission on 17 June 2022. The new EBA became enforceable on Friday 24 June 2022.
Members can access the full EBA document via anmfvic.asn.au/2020mhEBA.
Reaching this point has been a long and frustrating journey for all involved. The Branch sends its heartfelt thanks to all Job Reps and members who supported this campaign, came to members’ meetings, had discussions with colleagues, submitted motions for debate at the annual delegates conferences and contacted ANMF individually.
As a result of your ANMF claims and your campaign, you have secured, among other things:
- A three per cent pay rise in the first full pay period on or after 1 July each year from 2021 to 2023, and a 1.5 per cent pay rise in the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2024. Members should receive a six per cent wage increase in their first full pay after 1 July this year (comprising the first three per cent wage increase that was scheduled for 1 July 2021, and the second increase scheduled on 1 July 2022.)
- a ‘once-off nurse alignment payment’ to maintain parity with your public sector nurse colleagues
- additional mental health nursing equivalent full time (EFT) positions, in addition to 800 EFT to be implemented in the delivery of mental health services over the life of the agreement. This is the most significant increase of additional EFT in the history of your enterprise bargaining history.
WHAT IS THE ‘ONCE OFF NURSE ALIGNMENT PAYMENT’?
Clause 74 provides for a ‘once off nurse alignment’ payment equivalent of three per cent wages earned from the first full pay period on or after 1 December 2020 to 1 July 2021. This payment includes payments of base rate, overtime, penalties and allowances. It does not apply to reimbursements that are not subject to an increase over the life of the agreement. Superannuation is payable on the payment and applies to permanent and casual employees.
This payment will align public sector mental health nurses’ wages with those ANMF achieved in the general public sector nurses and midwives eight-year wages deal (2016–2024).
A percentage increase is superior to a flat lump sum amount given the additional benefit that it is not only applied to your base rate of pay but also to your other entitlements such as allowances and leave loading etc.
WHAT ELSE DOES THE NEW EBA INCLUDE?
For a detailed list of the 2020–2024 EBA highlights, you can view the EBA update #22 (1 April 2022) and our frequently asked questions (12 April 2022).
IMPLEMENTATION
The Branch is now re-establishing Workplace Implementation Committees (WICs) to monitor and assess the implementation of the substantial changes in the new agreement. WICs comprise equal employer and ANMF representation, which include ANMF staff and ANMF Job Reps, and HACSU representatives.
The Branch will continue to update members about this work.
